A special holiday on December 12 is Paramon the Winter Signifier: history, traditions, omens

Every year on December 12, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the holy Martyr Paramon, who suffered for his faith in Christ. In the national calendar, this holiday is called Paramon Zymokazatel, or Paramonov Day. In 2025, it falls on a Friday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on December 12th?

Saint Paramon lived in the 3rd century in the Roman province of Bithynia, located in the north-west of Asia Minor, between the Bosphorus and the Sangarius River during the period of the most severe persecution of Christians.

Around 250, during the reign of Emperor Decius, the province was led by Governor Aquian, known for his particularly harsh treatment of the followers of Jesus. By his order, 370 Christians who refused to worship pagan gods were imprisoned. Paramon was not among those arrested, but upon learning about what was happening, he openly defended them and called for an end to the massacre, for which he was immediately captured by the authorities.

Paramon was offered to save his life — it was enough to sacrifice to pagan deities. But even in the face of imminent death, he refused, showing firmness of character. As a result, he was martyred along with 370 Christians.

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Traditions of the Paramon Winter Designator folk festival on December 12th

In the national calendar, this day was called Paramonov Day. In Russia, they believed that on December 12, nature "opens" winter, so they tried to complete household chores, strengthen the house and prepare for the cold. Hence the second name of the holiday — Paramon the Winter Designator.

The day usually started with a visit to the temple. Believers turned to Saint Paramon with a request to strengthen the family, protect the house from troubles and help to survive the winter trials.

The women had been preparing lean pastries since early morning. Paramonov Day falls on the Christmas Fast, and strict food restrictions were observed during this period. Lean pies became a symbol of home well-being, it was believed that such a meal strengthens peace in the family.

And the men were clearing snow from the roof and saying: "Paramon has come — the snow is off the roof." The snow was swept away only with a broom or broom, trying not to use a shovel, as it could "remove" luck along with the snow.

On a holiday, they tried to borrow at least a small thing from their neighbors — a handful of cereals, a little salt or a piece of bread. If you managed to borrow something on December 12, you believed that next year would bring prosperity, and luck would find its way into the house.

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Another tradition of Paramonov Day was associated with a sauna. There was a belief that if a nail was driven into the western wall of the steam room on December 12, it would become especially healing, and steam and a broom would protect against illness all winter.

The girls tried to remember the night's dream: they believed that on this day the image of the future husband comes in a dream. Any detail could be a clue at a meeting.

What not to do on Paramonov Day on December 12th

On Paramonov Day, there were a number of strict prohibitions that the ancestors tried to strictly observe. For example, it was forbidden to be lazy. According to legend, on the holiday, Winter itself went around the villages, checking who was busy with the household and who was idling. It was believed that those who avoided work would face difficulties and disorder in the house.

In addition, the Christmas Fast continued on December 12, which lasted from November 28 to January 6. This imposed additional restrictions — it was forbidden to consume meat and dairy products, alcohol, arrange noisy feasts, and allow excesses in food and drinks.

What else is forbidden to do on December 12:

• moving and changing your place of residence : a hasty move on this day can deprive a person of peace, he "won't get used to a new place";
• spending money without an account: on December 12, any purchases "on emotions" are a risk to the family budget, after which the money will not linger in the family for long;
• taking out the trash from home: there is a risk of "taking out" well-being along with the waste, so everything superfluous should be removed on the eve or after the holiday;
• feed the birds with grain or bread — you can "harvest" the next year, you should feed the birds only with buckwheat.;
• sharing plans and dreams — what you say out loud may not come true or may encounter unexpected obstacles.

Folk signs for December 12th

Paramon the Winter Designator was considered by the peasants to be one of the most "weather" days in December. It was used to judge the winter and the upcoming weather changes.:

• red sky in the morning — for a clear December;
• snowstorm since dawn — bad weather will last until Winter Eve (December 19);
• bright stars at night lead to severe frosts, dim ones lead to an early thaw.;
• severe frost on December 12 leads to a hot and dry summer.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the national holiday Soykin Day.